NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2025

Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov and Senators defenseman Carter Yakemchuk shine in rookie tournament play, Kings winger Corey Perry is sidelined, Blackhawks re-sign goalie Spencer Knight, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov had a goal and two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets during the first of their two games in the 2025 Prospects Showdown at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All eyes in Montreal are on Demidov after his promising performance in two regular-season games and five playoff contests last season. He didn’t disappoint in this game, including his game-tying highlight-reel goal. The 19-year-old winger is considered the early favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy this season.

Granted, this was just one game in a rookie tournament before training camps open later this season. Nevertheless, Demidov’s play will stoke the buzz surrounding this youngster.

OTTAWA SUN: Defenseman Carter Yakemchuk tallied twice and collected an assist as the Senators nipped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in the Prospects Showdown.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yakemchuk hopes to crack the Senators’ roster. The puck-moving blueliner had a promising camp last season but was among the late cuts because his defensive game needed work. If he’s improved that aspect of his game, he could become a welcome addition on the right side of their blueline.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Offseason acquisition Isaac Howard wasn’t a standout for the Oilers in their 6-5 loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday at Rogers Place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers acquired Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer. Winner of the Hobey Baker Award as last season’s top college player, he’s expected to be on their active roster this season.

THE TENNESSEAN: Forwards Brady Martin and Joakim Kemell were the standouts for the Nashville Predators in their wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes in rookie tournament play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martin is the Predators’ first-round pick (fifth overall) in this year’s draft. Kemell is their first-rounder (17th overall) in the 2022 draft. The latter appeared in two games with the Preds last season.

THE ATHLETIC: The St. Louis Blues iced a five-man unit consisting of first-round picks in their prospect tournament games against the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Justin Carbonneau were the forwards, with Adam Jiricek and Theo Lindstein as the defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see if those five go on to become roster regulars for the Blues.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings winger Corey Perry will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery following an injury suffered at the club’s training facility on Friday.

The 40-year-old winger signed a one-year contract with the Kings in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An unfortunate setback for Perry, whose experience (especially in the postseason) was among the reasons why the Kings signed him.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed goaltender Spencer Knight to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.83 million. Knight, 24, is in the final season of a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks acquired Knight from the Florida Panthers in March. He immediately stepped into the starter’s role with the rebuilding club, sporting a record of 5-8-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.

NHLPA.COM: Former PA Executive Director Bob Goodenow passed away suddenly on Saturday at age 72.

Goodenow took over the job in 1991, leading the players through a strike in 1992, a half-season lockout in 1994-95, and the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season. A fierce advocate for players’ rights, he negotiated landmark gains in salary, free agency, pension, and health benefits, and helped them take control of their name, image, and likeness rights. Goodenow also helped establish pioneering programs such as player salary disclosure, second medical opinion for players, the agent certification program, and working with the NHL to implement the substance abuse and behavioral health programs for players and their families.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goodenow had a profound effect on the game for the players after they were taken advantage of for yearsby the league and by former PA director Alan Eagleson, who would be jailed for fraud and embezzlement.

Under Goodenow, the players made substantial financial gains. However, his downfall came during the 2004-05 season-killing lockout.

At the beginning of the standoff, Goodenow warned the players that it could take up to two years to achieve their goal of avoiding the salary-cap system advocated by the league. However, their support wavered after the league canceled the season, and he lost the confidence of PA president Trevor Linden. Once the lockout was ended, Goodenow was replaced by Ted Saskin.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2025

The latest on Canucks forwards Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE: After a solid offseason of training, a healthy Elias Pettersson has returned to Vancouver eager to reunite with his Canucks teammates and keen to start the upcoming season.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

The 26-year-old center is coming off the worst season of his NHL career, managing 45 points in 64 games in a tumultuous, injury-shortened 2024-25 campaign. He said he and his teammates have put last season’s woes behind them and are focusing on bouncing back in 2025-26.

Winger Brock Boeser is among the Canucks hoping to rebound from a disappointing performance. The 28-year-old has contract stability after signing a long-term deal in July, and is happy that he won’t have to face trade rumors that dogged him last season.

Boeser seems likely to skate alongside Pettersson on the Canucks’ top line this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks need Pettersson and Boeser to regain their high-scoring ways if they hope to contend for a playoff berth this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis said the offseason rehab for his shoulder injury went well, leaving him confident for the coming season. “I can rip out some pushups right now if you want,” he told reporters.

The 23-year-old decided not to undergo surgery on his right shoulder for the second straight year, saying it wasn’t an injury that inhibited his play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarvis’ versatile play has moved him up the Hurricanes’ depth chart. A healthy, productive performance this season will be crucial to their Stanley Cup hopes.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf was passed over for selection to Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp. The 23-year-old Calder Trophy finalist is using the snub as motivation for the upcoming season.

You want to prove people wrong,” Wolf said. “Myself, our group, are continuing to prove people wrong on a daily basis in Calgary. That’s just another side of it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Team USA has considerable goaltending depth with Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, Dallas’ Jake Oettinger, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman, and Seattle’s Joey Daccord. However, a strong performance by Wolf in the first half of this season could earn him a nod if Swayman or Daccord struggle.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers announced they have hired former player Blake Wheeler as hockey operations advisor and Ryane Clowe as assistant general manager.

Wheeler, 38, retired in July after 16 NHL seasons, spending his final season (2023-24) with the Rangers. Clowe recently resigned as assistant GM of the San Jose Sharks.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Nashville Predators signed forward Dylan Gambrell to a professional tryout offer. Gambrell, 29, spent last season on a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, spending the season with their AHL affiliate in Cleveland.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: The Utah Grizzlies will relocate to Trenton, New Jersey, after this season. They are the Colorado Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2025

A roundup of takes on the latest scuttlebutt involving the five notable remaining restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET’s Luke Fox looked at the latest rumors regarding the remaining notable RFAs.

Fox believes New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is still trying to get defenseman Luke Hughes signed to a team-friendly contract. A good comparable would be Brock Faber’s $8 million average annual value (AAV) on his eight-year contract.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes reportedly prefers a five-year contract taking him up to unrestricted free-agent status by July 2030, the same time as teammate and brother Jack’s contract expires. The Devils prefer locking up Luke to a three-year bridge contract or an eight-year deal.

The Devils have roughly $7 million in cap space remaining, which is why veterans like winger Ondrej Palat and defenseman Dougie Hamilton have surfaced in recent trade rumors.

DAILY FACEOFF: Steven Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting Hughes could get $8.386 million on a six-year contract or $5.786 million on a three-year deal.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Devils are under considerable pressure to get Hughes signed before the start of the season. His absence could make the difference between them securing home-ice advantage for the playoffs and being a wild-card team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils must shed salary if they can’t get Hughes signed within their current cap constraints. If he gets over $8 million, expect a cost-cutting trade to follow.

Turning to Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, Fox noted that there has been trade interest from rival teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks. However, it’s believed Ducks GM Pat Verbeek wants to sign him beyond a bridge deal. One comparable could be Quinton Byfield’s five-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings, which carries an AAV of $6.25 million.

Ellis considers the 22-year-old McTavish to be the premier forward still chasing a contract this summer. AFP Analytics projects he’ll get $6.772 million on a six-year contract or $3.983 million on a three-year deal.

Proteau believes the Ducks are under a lot of pressure to get McTavish signed. The rebuilding club needs all hands on deck if they’re to push for a playoff berth this season. They can’t afford to have a dynamic young player like McTavish on the sidelines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek has a well-deserved reputation as a tough negotiator who isn’t afraid to let contract negotiations carry over into training camp and preseason. He also won’t trade McTavish if this turns into a standoff unless he gets a comparable player in return.

Fox indicated contract negotiations continue between the Nashville Predators and winger Luke Evangelista. He thinks the approach of training camp will be the true pressure point, suggesting a bridge deal as the path toward a solution.

Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.513 million for Evangelista. Proteau believes the Predators don’t have to rush into getting the young forward re-signed, noting the clock isn’t ticking as loudly for them as it is for the Devils with Hughes and the Ducks with McTavish.

Turning to Alexander Holtz of the Vegas Golden Knights, Fox cited Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon expressing his belief that his club can help the young forward unlock his untapped potential. A bridge deal or a trade could be the outcome.

Ellis indicated a one-year deal worth $874,125 was projected for Holtz by AFP Analytics. Proteau concurs that he’ll get an affordable short-term deal and believes the Golden Knights are feeling pressured to sign him.

The last RFA on Fox’s list is Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser. He cited Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times indicating that a deal should be worked out before training camp. Fox projected his contract will be three years with an AAV of $2.5 million.

According to Ellis, AFP Analytics projected Kaiser receiving $3.208 million annually on a three-year contract or $5.479 million on a six-year deal. Proteau believes the Blackhawks can afford to take their time getting him under contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2025

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews addresses Mitch Marner’s departure, Stuart Skinner believes the Oilers will bounce back more quickly from their Stanley Cup Final loss this time, Patrik Laine hopes to stay in Montreal, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews admits that he and his teammates will miss Mitch Marner, who departed for the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade situation on June 30.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

We’ll miss him,” Matthews said. “He’s a great friend, great teammate. That’s kind of the business side of it that’s tough, but obviously I wish him nothing but the best. We’ll just keep it moving.”

Matthews missed 15 games last season with an undisclosed injury. He said that his health was good and he will be at “100 percent” for the start of the 2025-26 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lot of Leafs fans won’t miss Marner, who became their whipping boy for the club’s poor postseason record over the last nine seasons. However, his departure leaves them thin on right wing. Beyond William Nylander, the level of talent drops significantly.

The addition of playmaker Matias Maccelli should offset some of the missing offense if he regains his 57-point form of 2023-24, but he won’t fully replace Marner’s two-way skills.

THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner believes his club will rebound more quickly from losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers than they did in 2024.

Going through it the second time, which is obviously devastating, but being able to say you went through this does actually help you get over it quicker, just because you have to go back into training and do it all over again.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could find it a more difficult challenge staging a third straight run to the Cup Final. They still haven’t addressed their inconsistent goaltending, and their limited cap space could make it harder to bolster their roster before the trade deadline.

TVA SPORTS: Patrik Laine would love to remain with the Montreal Canadiens beyond this season. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Yes, of course,” Laine told Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports. “I don’t think I need to say more. Yes, I would love to be here.”

Laine spent most of the offseason training in Montreal. He believes the Canadiens are on the right track and expects they’ll be even better this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s future in Montreal depends on his performance this season. He struggled through an injury-shortened campaign in 2024-25, but finished with 20 goals in 52 games, drawing praise from Canadiens management for helping them qualify for the playoffs.

Laine recently said that he’s fully healthy approaching training camp. He could have a productive year if his good health carries over into this season, which would improve his chances of getting a contract extension.

RG.ORG: Sergei Fedorov said he felt “a flood of emotions” after being informed that the Detroit Red Wings will retire his No. 91 in January as part of their centennial season celebrations. The ceremony will be held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Jan. 12, 2026.

Fedorov spent 13 of his 18 NHL seasons with Detroit before departing as a free agent in 2003. “I was always a Red Wing,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fedorov’s relationship with Red Wings management was never the same following a messy contract holdout in 1997-98. His departure in 2003 left some bad feelings among Wings fans. However, Fedorov has been received more warmly by the organization and the fans in recent years, especially after he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Connor Ingram has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to return to the Utah Mammoth. The 28-year-old goaltender entered the program on March 9 to deal with mental health issues.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes announced that Jesper Fast will rejoin the organization as a development coach. He announced his retirement in June after missing last season recovering from neck surgery.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Brady Martin to a three-year entry-level contract. Martin, 18, was chosen fifth overall in this year’s draft by the Predators.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2025

Why Conor Garland will be an important player for the Canucks this season, Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney reveals his mental health challenges, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE: Conor Garland’s tenacity drove him from being an undersized NHL depth player to a top-six winger with a six-year contract. It has made him a key player for the Vancouver Canucks as they attempt to rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

The 29-year-old Garland is in the final season of his current contract. He signed his $36 million extension on July 1. He cited his versatility and willingness to improve as being among the reasons why the Canucks opted to re-sign him.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland (NHL Images).

Garland also proved his worth playing for Team USA’s gold-medal team at the 2025 World Championships, meshing well on a line with Utah Mammoth forwards Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland’s performance was among the few bright spots for the Canucks last season, finishing third among their scorers with 50 points. His character, work ethic, and leadership have made him an invaluable part of their roster core.

THE TENNESSEAN: Spencer Stastney revealed his lifelong battle with anxiety and depression during his appearance on the “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Nashville Predators defenseman revealed his mental health issues stemmed from family issues, including his parents’ divorce and guilt over pursuing a hockey career while his family struggled.

Stastney said he was on the verge of retirement last year. He credited the support and therapy he received from the Predators and the NHL Players’ Association for helping him continue his career, but admits he has more work to do as he attempts to figure out his relationship with hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Here’s hoping Stastney finds the best path for a happy and productive life, even if it leads him outside of hockey.

EXPRESSEN.SE: Former NHL forward Jakub Vrana is expected to sign a contract this week with Linköping HC in the Swedish Hockey League. The 29-year-old Czech winger spent his formative years with Linköping before he was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2014.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vrana’s best seasons were with the Capitals from 2016-17 to 2020-21, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 and tallying a career-best 25 goals and 52 points in 69 games in 2019-20.

In nine NHL seasons with the Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators, Vrana had 119 goals and 223 points in 406 regular-season games, and 8 points in 38 playoff contests.

NESN: Former Boston Bruins center Jakub Lauko signed last week with HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga. The 25-year-old spent three seasons with the Bruins and Minnesota Wild (2022-23 to 2024-25), netting 11 goals and 28 points in 139 regular-season games, and two points in eight postseason games.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Columbus Blue Jackets have brought back Barry Brennan as their strength and conditioning coach. He held the role from 2005 to 2010, and spent the past 12 years working in the Kontinental Hockey League, including a six-year stint with CSKA Moscow.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.

The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.

Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.

Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.

Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.

Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.

As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.

That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.

Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.

Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.

According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.

The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.

The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.

Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.